Fuse clip



Sept. 13, 1932. A. ALSAKER ET AL FUSE CLIP Filed April 16, 1928 3Sheets-Sheet '1 P 13, 1932- I A. ALSAKER ET AL I 1,876,536

FUSE CLIP Filed April 16, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 James Mark-e5 Q /%WM-WP 13, 1932- A. ALSAKER ET AL 1,876,536

FUSE CLIP Filed April 16. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented S ept. 13,1932

' UNITED" STATES OI CEIICAGO, mm 018, ASSIGNOBS '10 DELTA-mnnnusamanbsms 1::

PATEQNTV- OFFICE STAB ELECTRIC COMPANY, 01' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COBPORATIO H OF ILLHIOIS russ Application am April 10,

' Our invention relateswto contacts for receiving fuse terminals or thelike.

In the mounting of fuses for power circuits, that is, circuits carryingsubstantial 5 amounts of power such as are employed in high tensiontransmission work, the spacing between the contacts, and insulationrequirements necessitate the mounting of the contacts onseparateinsulators as distinguished 13 from low tension fuses and their contactswhich are generally mounted on a common insulating board or the like.

7 While the fuse terminals of our invention are peculiarly adapted forhigh'tension power 15 work, they are not to be limited to such use sincecertain of the features herein disclosed and claimed are applicable to awide variety of uses and mountings.

However, in themounting of high tension fuses on separate insulators itis diflicult to aline the contacts which receive the fuse so that therigid fuse body or shell with its ferrules or equivalent contact deviceswill make uniformly good contact. Failure to make good contact resultsin the generation of heat and consequent electrical loss which is highlyundesirable.

Heretofore fuse contacts, or fuse clips as they are often termed, havebeen made of 3'.) spring metal on the theory that the spring of thecontactwill cause it to adapt itself to the rigid surfaces of the fuseferrules. From the verv nature of things if the contacting surface ofthe fuse clip is resilient and flex ible it will not'retain a plain flatsurface in case of misalinement such as'is very diflicult to avoid, or atrue cylindrical surface under like conditions wherethe fuse ferrulepresents a cylindrical external surface for making contact with theclip.

'We have attacked the problem from a different standpoint. We propose tofunction-' ally separate the fuse clip or contact into two distinctparts. namely a contact part which may be rigid and inflexible and asupporting part which is adequately flexible and which applies the rightcontact part to the surfaces of the fuse terminal. The con- Ko tact parthas a universal connection of limited play or freedom with respedto theap- CLIP) ms. no. 210,210.

plying means, and it has suitable connections with the applying meansfor limiting the stresses upon this universal mounting and for holdingthe contact parts in such position as readily to receive the ferrule ofthe fuse when the fuse is to be inserted. The contact part is connectedelectrically'to the terminal by a dead connection such as a braidedribbon of copper or the like, or other flexible connection generallytermed a pig'- 00 tail.

In addition to (the above broad improvement in fuse mountings, which ourinvention provides, we embody in the preferred form i of our inventioncertain other improvements, 4 namely an improved form of lock orretaining means for locking the fuse into the clip to prevent accidentalor unintentional removal. This locking means has the novel function. inaddition to the locking of the fuse in the clip, of serving as a meansupon its release of breaking thefuse ferrule from the mounting'clip. 7

That is to say, opening of the lock exerts a camming action upon thefuse ferrule to break it away from the clip contacts so that it may morereadily be removed.

' At the same time, the lock is so arranged as to interlock withftheremoving means to the extent that the locking means will notautomatically close until the fuse is reinserted. This constructionprovides the addi tional function that'the locking means will not remainin any intermediate position, that is to say, it will remain either infully open position or in locking position, but not in intermediateposition.

The organization of our fuse terminal in separately functional parts ishighly advantages in obtaining the necessary area of contact andsatisfactory application of pressures to the contacting areas. but inaddition the separation of the fuse clip into functionally separateparts permits these parts to be con-- structed in form and of. materialssuitable for their respective 'functions,.for example the contactmembers are preferably made of 1 1 drawn copper of high condudzivity,whereas the springs supporting the same are made of phosphopbrqnzgwllich in point of resilienc is far "superior to copper but in pointconductivity is inferior. Lower spring pressures may be employed in thefuse clip of our invention'because of better hard drawn copper upon theoutside of the shown in Figure 1;

braid.

Now in order to acquaint those skilledin the art with the manner ofconstructing and operatinga device embodying our invention, we shalldescribe in connection with the accompanying drawings specificembodiment of the same.

t Figure 1 is an elevational end view of a fuse clip, incorporating ourinvention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of that Figure 3 is a sectionalview, taken on substantially the line 33 of Figural;

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of a modified form of our invention;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of that shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an end elevational view of a .modified form of ourinvention, particularly as to locln'ng means;

Fi e 7 1s a sectional view, taken on the line -7-of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional view, taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7 Figure 9is an elevational view of another modification of our invention; v

Figure 10'is a sectional view, taken on the Y line 10-10 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is an elevational view of the reverse side of that showninFigure 9;

Figure 12 is an elevational view of another modification of ourinvention;

Figure 13 is a vertical section, taken on the 1 line 13-13 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a sectional view, taken on the line 14-14 of Figure 13.

In Figures 1, 2 and 3, the contact members 10 have flat inner surfaces11, for engagement with flattened surfaces on the sides of the fuseterminal 12, shown in dotted outline. The contactmembers 10 are formedof hard drawn copper. and to each of them is rigidly secured, byriveting or welding, a stud or pivot member 13 having a cylindricalportion 14 loosely fitted through an opening 15 in the supportingU-shaped member 16. The outer end 17 of the stud 13 is swedged in orderto spread the same and prevent its removal through the opening 15. Theportion of the stud 13 which is positioned between the contact members10 and the support 16 is rounded at 18 for givin a rolling contact withthe inner surface of t e support.

The contact members 10 may be made of two pieces of copper weldedtogether as a unit andhaving a copper braid 19 therebetween.

self-alignment of; the contact members 10 on the fuse terminals.

The braid 19 and the su porting member 16 are secured together an to thebar 20, by means of suitable bolts or screws 21, as shown in Figure 1.The supporting member 16 is preferably made of phosphor-bronze, havingood spring qualities, and it is formed in sue a manner that it normallyurges inwardly on the stud 13 for holding the contact members 10 inengagement with the fuse terminal positioned therebetween.

A stop member 22 is provided above the position normally occupied by thefuse terminal and arranged to engage the upper side thereof for limitingthe upward insertion of the terminal at a point where a line drawnthrough a diameter of the terminal will pass through the center of thetwo pivot studs,

since at this position the greatest amount of self-alignment ispermitted with the least effort. The stop member 22 is provided with abase member 23 which serves to retain the braid 19 in place and tosecure onto the same by bolt 21, as shown. I

To prevent accidental displacement of the fusefrom the clip, we providea guard or locking bail 24, which is of spring material. It passesbeneath the terminal, around the lower portion of the clip and the endextends inwardly through opening 26 in the support 16, near the upperend thereof. A portion ,27 of the bail extends parallel with the side ofthe support 16 and is arranged to seat between lugs 28, which areintegral with the support and in moving the bail, it must spring overone of the lugs.

vThis springing action gives it a decided snap from unlocked position'tolocked position. The location of the lugs 28 is particularly important,it being noted that they are located near the opening 26, which is nearthe pivotal point of the locking bail and the small movement at thispoint necessary to move the bail over the lugs 28 is a large and, at thesame time, allowing unrestrained g movement on the lower end; so thatwhen ;the bail snaps over one of the lugs 28, the

the support, but such an arrangement does.

not give the 'decided snap action from the fullon to the full offposition, in the manner we have provided.

The lower ends of the contact members 10 are flared at 29, permittingease of replacement of the fuse. The end is positioned relatively closeto the lower end of the support16 and arranged to engage the same uponrotation of the member10 beyond a' predetermined limit, so as to keepthem in substantial alignment and prevent strain on the braid 19.

' In Figures 4 and 5, we have shown a modified form of our invention,being substantially similar to that above described, but

being particularly adapted for holding a cylindrical fuse terminalinstead of one having flat sides; The contact members 31 are concave tofit the terminal 33 and the stop member 32 is of such height to engagethe terminal for limiting its upward movement. 7

The bar 20, shown in Figure 1, has been omitted from the other views, asit is-simply to show the relationship and operation of our invention,but is no part thereof, except as it may cooperate with the othermembers in the manner herein set forth.

In Figures 6, 7 and 8, I have shown a modified form of locking means,comprising a latch 34, arranged at the end of the fuse clip and adaptedto operate on a pivot pin 35.

A coil spring 36 surrounds the pivot pin and the ends thereof engage asupporting bar 37 and the end of the latch, for constantly urgingthelatch in a direction tending to-close the same upon the ends of the fuseterminal shown in dotted outline. The pivot pin passes through openingsin the supporting bar 37' and openings in the. top end of the N latch,thereby hinging terminal efgr breaking itfr'om the clipcontacts wh thelatch or locking means is opened.

The latch is curved inwardly at 40. in order to fit well over the end ofthe terminal, and

the lower end 41 is again curved outwardly for giving a cam action tothe latch when the terminal is pressed thereagainst in an effort toreplace the fuse, so that it is not necessary to move the end 41manually against the action, of the coil spring, since it isautomatically moved, when the fuse terminal is inserted and itimmediately snaps over the end of the terminal and locks it in-place.

In Figures 9, 10 and 11, is shown another form of locking means, whichis particularly adapted tolock the terminal which does not extend beyondthe contact members. It comprises a latch 44, which is pivoted by a pin35 and operated by a coil spring 36, in the same manner as that shown inFi ure 7. The latch is also provided with t e lugs 39 which serve asstops, and for removing the fuse terminal in the manner hereinbeforestated. The plate 42 is formed integral with and extends down from thebar 37, servin as an end stop for the fuse terminal. A sti ening flange43 prevents excessive flexing and breaking at the point where the plate42 joins the bar 37, as shown in Figure 10. The latch 44 consists of thehinged portions 45 atrthe top, connected by a bar 46. From the cross,bar 46, two parallel portions 47 extend downwardly, at a distance apartslightly greater than the width of the plate 42, in order that the latchmay pass over the lower end of the plate, if moved sufliciently on, the.hinge pin 35 in a forward direction. The lower portion 48 of the latchis ofisetforwardly and an arcuate' aperture 49 in the cross-member fitsover the fuse terminal. The extreme lower end 50 of said cross-member iscurved rearward] forming a cam surface, by which the.

latch 1s moved upon-engagement with a fuse being inserted as previouslyset forth.

shown in Figures 12, 13 and 14; This modification is particularlyadapted to lock fuse terminals, provided with substantially rectangularportions 51, shown in dotted outline.

The latch or locking member 52 is. hinged in the same manner as setforth in regard to Figure 6 to 11, inclusive, and is urged to alockedpositio'n by means of the coil spring 36. It comprises hingedportions 52, a crossbar 53, downwardly-extending side members54,-provided with hook members 55 ar- Another modification of ourinvention isranged to engage under the flattened portions 51 of theterminal shownin Figure 14. The lower ends of the member 54 are formedwith outwardly curved portions providing opposing cam faces 56 andlongitudinally disposed cam faces 57, all of which cooperate to guide afuse terminal between the members 54 and over the inclined surface 58 ofthe hook 55, for forcing the same rearwardly against the action ofspring 36 and allowing it to be pressed against the stop 39, which whenbeing engaged by the fuse terminal,

aids the spring 36 in lodging the hook 55 below the terminal as shown,and conversely breaks the fuse terminal from its contacts when the hook55 is moved rearwardly.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the v art that the variouslocking means herein illustrated are adaptable to terminals of variousshapes and sizes and wedo not intend to be limi d to the specificdetails herein illustrated and described, but desire to avail the scopeof the appended I ourselves of such variations as oome within i Weclaim: I

1. A fuse clip comprising in combination non-resilient, self-aligningcontact members, a resilient supporting element for urging said membersinto engagement with a fuse terminal, securing means fixed to saidmembers having engagement with said element, conductors for saidnon-resilient contact members and locking means for preventingdisplacement of the fuse terminal.

2. A fuse clip comprising in combination, non-resilient, self-aligningcontact members, a U-shaped resilient supporting element securedthereto, means for limiting the insertion of afuse terminal between saidcontact members, and locking means for the fuse terminal comprising aresilient bail pivoted to said supporting element, and lugs on saidelement relatively close to-said pivot, between which said bail engages.

3. A fuse clip comprising in combination, non-resilient, self-aligningcontact members, a resilient supporting element for ur ing said membersinto engagement with a use terminal, securing means fixed to saidmembers having engagement with said supportingelement, conductors forsaid non-resilient contact members, cam faces on the lower ends of saidcontact members, and means for preventing displacement of the fuseterminal.

4. A fuse clip comprising in combination, self-aligning non-resilientcontact members for engaging a fuse terminal, cam faces on the lowerends of said contact members, a;

resilient supporting element for said contact members, studs fixed onsaid contact members loosely engaging said supporting element,conductors for said contact-members in'parallel with said supportingelement, said supporting element having 0 enings therein near the upperend thereof an spaced lugs on said element relatively near saidopenings, a locking bail passing beneath said terminal and engaging saidelement between said lugs, the ends thereof engaging in said openings,means for limiting the insertion of a terminal between said contactmembers, and means for securing said limiting means, said conductor, andsaid support together and to a 50. V

conducting bar.

5. A terminal clip comprisin a support, a U-shaped member securedto t esupport, a pair of contacts carried by the arms of the U member toreceive a terminal between them,

a stop member on the inner side of the U- shaped member and againstwhich the terminal that is received between thecontacts is moved forfixing the extent to which the terminal may be inserted inta the U,common means for securing the'stop member and the U-shaped member to thesupport, and conductors between the stop member and the U-shaped memberforconducting current to the contacts.

6. An electric terminal clip comprising a substantially U-shaped member,.a pair of contacting members secured to the inner side of the U-shapedmember and adapted to receive a terminal between them, conductorssecured to the contacting members, a support for the terminal clip, andcommon means for securing the conductors and the U-shaped member.together and to the su port.

7. A clip comprising in combination, nonresilient, self-ahgningcontactmembers, resilient supporting means secured thereto for urging saidcontact members into engagement with a terminal, a latch hinged at oneend of said clip, and means on the latch for engaging and lockin theterminal in place.

8. A clip comprising in combination, nonresilient, self-aligning contactmembers, re-" silient supporting means secured thereto for urging saidcontact members into engagement with a terminal, a latch hinged at oneend of said clip, means on the latch for engaging and locking theterminal in place, and stop members on said latch for limiting theextent of insertion of the terminal.

9. A clip comprising in combination, a non-resilient, self-aligningcontact member,

resilient supporting means secured thereto for urging said contactmember into engagement with a terminal, a latch hinged at one end ofsaid clip, means on the latch for engaging and locking the terminal inplace, and a cam face on said latch arranged to be engaged by theterminal being inserted.

* 10. A cli comprising in combination, nonresilient, se f-aligning'contact members, resilient supporting means secured thereto for urgingsaid contact members into engagement with a terminal, a latch hinged atone end of said clip, means on the latch for 'engaging and locking theterminal in place, stop members on said latch for limiting the extent ofinsertion of the terminal, and a cam face on said latch arranged to beengagedby the terminal being inserted.

.11. A clip coniprising in combination, selfaligning, non-resilientcontact members for en ging a terminal, cam faces on the lower en d s ofsaid contact members, a resilient supporting element for said contactmembers, studs fixed on said contact members loosely engaging saidsupporting element, conductors for said contact membersin parallel withsaid supporting element, a latch for looking a terminal between saidcontact members, a coil spring yieldingly holding said latch inengagement with said terminal, lugs on said latch fore limiting theinsertion of the termiml, and an arcuate stop member for the terminal.

12. A clip. comprising in combination self aligning, non-resilientcontact members for engaging a terminal, cam faces on. the lower ends ofsaid contact members, a resilient supstuds fixed on said contact membersloosely tion for camming the contact making memengaging sa1d supportingelement, conducbers apart.

tors for said contact members in parallel with said supporting element alatch for securing a terminal from displacement from between the contactmembers, said latch comprising a hinged cross-bar, a plurality ofdownwardly extending hooks on said crossbar, means thereon for engagingunder a terminal, and cam surfaces on the lower end of said hook forfacilitating the insertion of a terminal between the contact members.

13. A clip comprising in combination nonresilient contact members,spring supporting means pressing the contact members toward each other,said contact members having limited universal angular motion, and motionof translation, locking means for retaining a terminal between saidcontacts, and members on said locking means for forcing the terminalpartially from between the contact members when the locking means isactuated.

14. In combination, a pair of clips, a rigid member having metalliccontact terminals at its ends adapted to cooperate with said clips, saidclips comprising contacts "and having universal angular motion andmotion of translation, spring means supporting said contacts, means forretaining said metallic contact terminals between said contacts, andmembers on said retaining means for forcing said metallic terminals frombetween said contacts when said retaining means is actuatcd.

15. In combination, a pair of clips, a rigid member having metalliccontact terminals at its ends adapted to cooperate with said clips,non-resilient contact members on said clips, resilient means forsupporting and urging said contact members into engagement with saidterminals, locking means for said terminals, said locking meanscomprising members for, camming said terminals from between said contactmembers, and conducting means for said contact members independent ofsaid supporting means.

16. In an electrical switching device, the combination with a terminaland a contact clip adapted to engage one another, a latch for lockingthe terminal, and cam means acted upon by the terminal for forcing thelatch to its locking position responsive to movement of the terminal toits switch closed In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our namesthis 12th day of April, 1928.

ALFRED ALSAKER. JAMES MARKESE.

